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(No Model.)

H, W. ELLSWORTH.

WRITING DESK.

Patented Sept. 22, 1885.

N. PETERS. Phclo'Liflmgr-zpben Wzullington, 0.4:.

Nirno TATES Fries.

I. ATENT WRITING-DESK.

SFECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 326,636, dated September 22, 1885.

Application filed April To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY W. ELLSWORTH, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Fredonia, in the county of Chautauqua, New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in XVriting-Desks, of which the following is a specification.

Myinvention relates to that class of writingdesks in which the patterns to be copied are supported upon strips adjustable within the desks, so as to expose the patterns in succession as they are required in order to copy them; and my invention consistsin construct ing the desk and arranging the pattern-sheet, as fully set forth hereinafter, so as to expose the patterns above the upper edge of the in clined top of the desk.

My invention furtherconsists in means,fully set forth hereinafter, for securing an elastic support for the hand, so as to reduce the pressure thereof upon the paper.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view illustrating a writing-desk embodying my improvement. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the desk. Fig. 3 is a plan view. Fig. 4 is a view illustrating a modification of the elastic supporting-band.

The body A of the desk is a receptacle of any suitable construction, and is provided with an inclined top, a, which is preferably hinged at its upper edge, so that it may be lifted to expose the receptacle, within which may be deposited writing materials of various kinds. At the rear the body or case is increased in height, and is provided with rounded sides 0 and with a curved cover, a, hinged at its rear end, thereby forming a deep box or receptacle, within which is arranged the upper roller, (Z, of a pair of rollers, d d, the lower roller, d, being arranged within the shallower part of the case, and both rollers carrying a strip or band, 01;, of paper or other flexible material, upon which are written or engraved in lines extending across the strip the words, sentences, or other matter which is to serve as a copy for the scholar. From one of the sides I) to the other is extended a strip or guard, f, the lower edge of which is a short distance above the rear edge, 9 of the top of the desk, so as to leave a narrow opening or sight of sufficient width to expose a line of the copy upon the paper strip beneath, so that 25, 1885. (N0 model.)

after the strip has been adjusted by turning the roller but a single line of the copy will be exposed.

The rollers are turned to carry the paper in one direction or the other by means of buttons h upon the shaft t of the rollers, which project through the case at one side.

\Vhen the desk is in use, the lid cis thrown back so as to uncover the sight-opening U and expose the copy; but when the desk is not in use the cover is thrown forward and effectually covers and protects the copy and pre vents the access of dust to the receptacle.

It iswell known that beginners in penmanship are apt to bear with too much pressure upon the paper, thereby interfering with the freedom of the movements of the hand and rendering their writing cramped and angular. To prevent this, I support a standard, D, in a position in front of the writer, and from an arm, m, of the standard I suspend a strap or loop of rubber or other elastic material,which the writer may connect to his hand in such manner that the elasticity of the band Will tend slightly to lift the hand and reduce the pressure of the same upon the paper.

The band a may be a strip of rubber or elastic fabric with a cross-piece to extend across the under sides of the fingers between which the band passes; or it may consist, preferably, of a continuous rubber band, through which the forefinger, wrist, or any finger will pass. \Vhere it is desired to assist in making the upstrokes, the band a is carried to the shaft of the standard or is otherwise fixed at a point forward of the writer, as shown in dotted lines, Fig. l.

The standard and band may be used in connection with portable or stationary writing desks or tables.

Then the standard D is used in connection with the style of desk illustrated in the drawings, the latter is provided with a socket, 1;, into which the lower end of the standard may be placed, and when the desk is not in use the standard may be lifted from its socket and placed in the shallow receptacle of the desk.

'Without limiting myself to the precise construction and arrangement of parts shown and described, I clain1 1. A copying-desk provided with a case or body having a shallow receptacle and inclined top, a deeper receptacle at the rear with a 4. The combination, with a Writing desk or 20- transverse sight-opening directly above the table, of an elastic band, a support therefor rear edge of the'inclined top, and with rollwhereby it is secured at one end forward of ers d d, arranged one above the other and supthe position of the writer, and adapted for di- 5 porting a band of paper containing the matrect attachment to the hand, substantially as ter to be copied in position to expose the same and for the purpose set forth. 25 directly above the upper edge of the inclined 5. vThe combination of a desk provided with top, substantially as set forth. a socket, '0, and a standard, D, fitting the said 2. The combination of the body of the case socket detachably, and an elastic strip, n, con- IO having a shallow receptacle and inclined cover nected to the standard and adapted for attachtherefor and a deep receptacle at the rear ment to the hand of the writer, substantially 3Q with a transverse strip, f, sight-opening, u, as and for the purpose set forth. and cover a, and rollers d d, s'u-pportinga strip In testimony whereof Ihave signed my name of paper, an, at the rear of said opening, subto this specification in the presence of two sub- I5 stantially as set forth. scribing witnesses.

,3. The combination, in a writing-desk, of a HENRY ELLSWOBTH. s andard n a P as c sfir psi pp r e by t Witne ses standard adapted for attachment to the'han d H N M. W

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